Linking the Use of Ergonomics Methods to Workplace Social Sustainability: The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System and Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method

Brigita Gajšek, Draghici Anca, Maria Elena Boatca, Alin Gaureanu and Diana Robescu
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Brigita Gajšek: Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska c. 7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Maria Elena Boatca: Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
Alin Gaureanu: Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
Diana Robescu: Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: This article concretizes the continuous development of social sustainability in organizations based on ergonomics methods and tools, among others. Numerous scientific studies have already revealed many reasons for justifying balanced efforts towards organizational sustainability, including its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Because the social dimension is recognized as the weakest and is often neglected, it is placed at the forefront of the present research. The link between social sustainability in the workplace and the ergonomics concept is provided through 17 underlying indicators of the workplace sustainability framework proposed in a previous study. The OWAS and REBA ergonomic risk assessment methods were used in a toolmaking company to study how results can be used directly or indirectly to determine the size or value of indicators used in the sustainability framework. The research finds that direct use of the OWAS and REBA results is not possible, but it is certain that the implementation of proposals in response to identified levels of risk affects up to four out of five factors that constitute the sustainability framework. The use of OWAS and REBA is not suitable to address environmental concerns. This study encourages companies to use ergonomic methods and tools to develop social sustainability in the workplace. It is often necessary to decide between the pen-and-paper approach and an advanced one using artificial intelligence (e.g., supported by the ErgoIA software tool). Not only the method but also the technique chosen affects the degree of sustainability achieved. Finally, relevant aspects of knowledge exploitation in the field of ergonomic education for social sustainability were summarized.

Keywords: ergonomics risk; workplace social sustainability; musculoskeletal disorders; ErgoIA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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